English Bay is a beach right down town so you can shop along the well known shopping district of Robson street, walk to Denman street for lunch at a quaint cafe, then continue to English Bay for ice cream and lazing on the beach. English Bay located at the intersection of Denman & Davie is a busy beach in the summer, you can head towards Second beach is just a ten minute walk away for a great place to play frisbee and beach soccer.
English Bay hosts many festivals during the summer including the Celebration of Lights, a fireworks competition held over two weeks at the end of July where different Countries compete with synchronized fireworks displays. It is an incredible experience with an estimated over 1.4 million people viewing the fireworks over the 4 days of the competition. Arrive early with a picnic dinner & beach blanket to ensure a spot to sit.
Vancouver also hosts a yearly pride parade that attracted an estimated 600,000 visitors this year. The parade runs through down town, ending in Second beach where there is a large after party starting in the early afternoon. The party is a great time blasting dance music and full of people dressed in outrageous costumes.
Kitsilano Beach is a popular beach that is frequented by locals in their teens to early thirties who come to lay out on the beach, play volley ball or ride around on customized cruiser bicycles. A great way to spend the day in Kitsilano is boutique shopping along 4th avenue followed by a Shakespearean play at Bard on the beach and drinks at Malones or dinner at The Boathouse right along Kitsilano beach.
